Hindustan Times – Online

Over 100,000 farmers have been acquainted with climate-resilient agricultural methods in Bihar since a pilot project was launched for the purpose in 2019 across 40 villages in eight districts. The project was extended to 190 villages across 38 districts in 2020. Agriculture department officials said the project has shown positive results and may shape the way farming is done in the face of climate challenges to boost not just agricultural production, but also farmer income. Bihar faces regular droughts and floods which prompted the government to take steps to save agriculture and agriculturists from the growing climate-related vulnerabilities. “Climate change is threatening agriculture, making farmers vulnerable. It poses a challenge to policymakers. As per several ...

Devdiscourse – Online

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Patidar Business Summit (GPBS), being organized by Sardardham, today via video conferencing. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and Union Ministers and industrial leaders were among those present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the status of city of Surat as one of the fastest growing cities of the world. Recalling Sardar Patel’s words, the Prime Minister said Today India has so much. “We just have to strengthen our self-confidence, our spirit of Aatmnirbharta. This confidence will come only when there is participation of everyone in development, everyone’s effort will be involved” On the enhancement of the spirit of entrepreneurship ...

The New Indian Express – Online

Just as the tourism, agriculture sectors were getting back on their feet after the pandemic-induced crisis, the downpour in the past few weeks has played spoilsport. Many families are cancelling their outdoor trips and vacation plans. Farmers were affected by the unexpected change in weather and crop loss from rain. The tourism and agriculture sectors, which were on the road to revival after the crisis brought about by two years of pandemic and lockdowns, have been affected by the unusually heavy summer rain. Paddy and plantain cultivation has suffered largely in the district’s outskirts. According to farmers, though they took precautions like tying up the crops to prevent them from being knocked down ...

NewsOnAIR – Online

With farmers being on the top of the priority list of the government, innovative agriculture is fast acquiring greater space in public talk. The way robots and drones are replacing traditional farm operations such as picking fruits, killing weeds, spraying water and fertilizer on crops, with imagery from drones and satellites coupled with GPS technology providing a high-resolution and location-specific view of the field, the definition of agriculture is getting new meaning and dimensions. This is what innovative agriculture is. Thanks to the innovative technical interventions pushed in by the government in recent years, India has become one of the most prominent countries in the field of agriculture globally. It is also a major producer of ...

The Times of India – Online

Farmers in the district have harvested more than 3,46,556 tonnes of varieties of crop, including paddy and vegetables, in 2021-22. As per the data released by the agriculture department, 1,49,638 hectares of land were brought under cultivation in Ernakulam. This includes 256 hectares of fallow land, which were reclaimed for the purpose. Organic farming was extended to 7,000 hectares. However, rubber cultivation was the same this year as in the previous year covering an area of 60,170 hectares. This is more than 40% of the total agricultural land in the district. Coconut, the second largest crop, was cultivated in an area of 39,275 hectares. Last year, more than 17 crore coconuts were produced ...

The Statesman – Online

Haryana farmers’ welfare and agriculture, animal husbandry and dairying minister JP Dalal on Tuesday said there is no ban in the state on inter-district movement of fodder. The minister, however, said to meet the local requirements only inter-state transportation restrictions have been imposed. He said as this time most of the farmers have sown mustard over wheat, the problem of shortage of fodder has arisen. Also amid fodder shortage, the prices are likely to soar in the coming days, hence the deputy commissioners should ensure that the requirements of the Gaushalas are met at the earliest.

The New Indian Express – Online

India’s merchandise exports reached a milestone in 2021–22, crossing the $400 billion mark for the first time. Provisional figures peg exports at nearly $420 billion, over 27% higher than the previous peak of $330 billion reached in 2018–19. What is remarkable about the export performance is that every major sector of the economy has made a definitive contribution to this burgeoning export basket. In agriculture, several non-traditional commodities have led to the export surge. For instance, non-basmati rice and wheat have seen record levels of exports. Recently, non-basmati exports were a third to one-half of India’s rice exports, but in 2021–22, this had increased to nearly two-thirds. Wheat exports were $60 million in ...

Business Standard – Online

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said about 4 lakh hectare has been brought under natural farming so far as part of a sub-scheme of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and think-tank Niti Aayog will prepare a roadmap to scale this up. Tomar, while addressing a national workshop on innovative agriculture here, said the need of the hour is to do farming that works in harmony with nature, reduces the cost of production, ensures good-quality produce and profits to farmers. Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Haryana and Gujarat are gradually adapting to natural farming. More farmers will join after seeing the success stories, he said. Tomar said Niti Aayog will prepare a roadmap ...

The Economic Times – Online

The achievement of reaching the highest-ever mark of USD 50 billion worth of agriculture exports was attained through multiple steps taken by the Department of Commerce to turn India into the food basket for the world, said Commerce Ministry officials on Sunday. Speaking to ANI, the Commerce Ministry officials said that the previous highest mark was in 2013-14 at USD 43 billion after which the exports saw a free fall of sorts and suffered a USD 10 billion decrease in the figure by 2016-17 after which Department of Commerce identified four main reasons for the decrease in Agri-exports. “First, there was a disconnect between production and export of agricultural produce. Second, the State Government ...

Krishi Jagran – Online

Farmers have asked for the removal of GST on agricultural implements, such as fertilizers, to reduce input costs, as well as the establishment of an agriculture officer in each Gram Panchayat. The topic was raised during B.C. Patil’s visit to Thaluru village in Mysuru district on Friday to participate in a “day with a progressive farmer” initiative that has been popular in recent months. The concept entails the Minister, accompanied by officials from the department of agriculture, district administration, and Zilla panchayat, interacting with farmers and learning about the issues that they face, as well as imbibing a few practices that are being followed and could be spread to other farmers for emulation. Karnataka State ...

The Times of India – Online

India is home to the world’s second-largest population and a significant contributor to global agricultural production. But to meet the growing demands of a burgeoning global population, which is estimated to surpass 9.8 billion by 2050, India must move mountains to bolster its agricultural sector. Considering that about 58% of the Indian populace relies on agriculture as their primary source of livelihood, farm productivity and profitability should collectively and sustainably be improved to meet future demands. Technology has the potential to leapfrog these challenges and give rise to a new futuristic model. Steered by the innovation of Indian startups and underpinned by government intervention, the dynamics of agriculture in India are already changing. ...

The Economic Times – Online

Union Agriculture Ministry will organise a week- long nationwide campaign till April 30 at regional level to highlight the achievements made in the farm sector since independence and also create awareness about the various programmes run by the Centre for the benefits of farmers. The campaign ‘Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari’ will be organised as part of the government’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ in association with other ministries and government departments, an official statement said. As part of the campaign beginning April 25, farmers’ fair will be organised at each Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) along with field exhibition on natural farming, it said. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar would be launching a nationwide workshop ...

The New Indian Express – Online

After the Covid-induced gap of two years, a team of officials from the World Bank inspected works under the State’s agriculture modernisation project in Chennai, Tiruchy, and Madurai regions. The inspection, which started on Monday, was wrapped up on Thursday. According to a source in the Water Resources Department (WRD), World Bank makes an evaluation of ongoing projects before sanctioning funds. The officials asked the farmers about water management and the irrigation technologies and agricultural business opportunities available to them. A senior official told TNIE that under the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation Project (TNIAMP), works, including the revival of 4,778 tanks and 477 anaicuts, were underway across the State. The total project ...

Krishi Jagran – Online

Climate change and habitat loss from large agribusiness are working together to suffocate world insect populations, according to a new research, with each problem exacerbating the other. Insects, which include gorgeous butterflies and fireflies, are important pollinators of plants that feed humans and help to make soil more productive. Scientists have detected a substantial decline in both total bug populations and insect species variety, describing it as a “death by 1,000 cuts.” Pesticides and light pollution are among the areas where cuts are being made. Big single-crop agriculture, which leaves less habitat and leafy food for bugs, and rising temperatures from climate change are both huge problems for insects, according to a new study published ...

Telangana Today – Online

Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy said farmers were convinced with State Government’s intentions to avoid paddy cultivation in Yasangi and were taking up alternate crops extensively across the State. Despite repeated pleas by State Government last year, many farmers did not take up cotton cultivation. As a result, they failed to reap good profits, he said. The Centre had announced minimum price of Rs.5,726 and a maximum of Rs.6,025 per quintal of cotton. But in the open markets, the price varied from Rs.8,000 to Rs.12,000 per quintal, he pointed out, adding “That’s the reason, farmers are being urged to take up cotton cultivation extensively,” Apart from cotton, red gram cultivation would also generate good profits ...

Zee Business – Online

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday launched a logo for a scheme that promotes setting up of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and said more farmers should be part of such organisations. In February 2020, the union government launched a new central scheme “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs” under which FPOs are formed and promoted with participation of farmers, including small and marginal farmers, who get various facilities. “FPO is not merely a company, it is a collective for the benefit of farmers. From seed to market, the aim is to make farmers prosper,” Tomar said while addressing the National Conference of Cluster Based Business Organisations (CBBOs) under the FPOs scheme. “More and ...

Business Standard – Online

West Bengal is aiming to double exports of agricultural, horticultural and animal-based produce by 2030, and has introduced several enabling policies to fructify the objective, a top state government official said on Thursday. The government has identified export clusters across the state to ensure focused processing and higher production, he said. There is a huge potential of doubling exports. We need to channelise opportunities and make it happen. The state has done exceedingly well in the agriculture and allied sector, including fisheries, horticulture, food processing and animal resource. A lot of enabling policies have also been brought out by the government, Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi said at the Bengal Global Business Summit here. Dwivedi ...

Business Standard – Online

Retail inflation for farm and rural labourers increased to 6.09 per cent and 6.33 per cent, respectively, mainly due to higher prices of certain food items and clothing. “Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL (consumer price index-agricultural labourers) and CPI-RL (consumer price index rural labourers) stood at 6.09 per cent and 6.33 per cent in March 2022, compared to 5.59 per cent & 5.94 per cent, respectively, in February 2022, and 2.78 per cent and 2.96 per cent, respectively, during the corresponding month (March 2021) of the previous year,” a labour bureau statement said. Similarly, it stated that the food inflation stood at 4.91 per cent and 4.88 per cent in ...

The Times of India – Online

It is often believed that farming is a risky occupation, not only because of the volatile market forces that determine the prices of farmers’ output, but also due to the prolonged effects of climate change, affecting weather patterns. With many such traditional challenges plaguing Indian agriculture, it has become pertinent for farmers to adapt to the changing times and embrace new-age technologies in a bid to increase food security. Digital technology and data are certainly the growth pillars that farmers need, to insulate themselves from risks associated with farming. Digitization can undoubtedly support sustainable production & ensure timely supply, especially when production and supply involve millions of small and marginal farmers. Indian agricultural ...

Hindustan Times – Online

There’s no reason to panic (yet), but reports of the adverse impact of the early summer on the wheat crop should concern agricultural policymakers. It turns out that a dry and hot March may have reduced yields by at least 10%, perhaps more. That this has happened at a time when India hopes to fill the gap in the global wheat market caused by the disruption of Russian and Ukrainian exports is merely incidental (although that has seen a sharp increase in wheat prices, with farmers, naturally, preferring to sell to private firms rather than the government, as evident in early procurement numbers from the Food Corporation of India).

Deccan Chronicle – Online

In a bid to check losses incurred by farmers, the state government has decided to seek the help of agriculture scientists to guide farmers on adopting best practices to earn good returns. Hyderabad-based Icrisat (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) will undertake a pilot study in some selected mandals of Vizianagaram in the ensuing Kharif season. The project will be expanded to other parts in the state. Icrisat scientists, who have worked in similar projects in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha, will visit Vizianagaram in the next few weeks. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Rajesh Nune, an Icrisat scientist, said that it was the first time for them to conduct the study as per ...

Hindustan Times – Online

Hot weather across north India has cut wheat yields at a time when the country is counting on a bumper crop to tap an export market left struggling with a gap in supply due to the Ukraine war, farmers and traders said. The main winter staple is currently being harvested in major grain-bowl states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Cultivators said their per-acre yields (one acre equals 0.40 hectare) have fallen 10-15%. Heatwave conditions in March, when the crop was in advanced ripening stage, shrivelled grains, affecting both quality and weight of output, farmers said. In February, the government forecast wheat production would be a record 111.32 million tonnes this year, ...

ThePrint – Online

Every time we visit Punjab, we ask farmers why they stick with the rice-wheat cropping pattern year on year. Especially when most are witnessing receding underground water levels, forcing them to deepen their borewells each year during the paddy season. One answer from a young farmer stayed with us. He said, if you give us profitable and stable markets, we will produce whatever you want us to produce. It is well established that Punjab’s farmers are hardworking and enterprising. Most of them today acknowledge that the underground water line is receding and their costs of cultivating, particularly paddy, are rising. Families of many in rural Punjab continue to suffer from severe illness due to high ...

Krishi Jagran– Online

The early arrival of summer, followed by unusually high temperatures, has reduced wheat yield in the Malwa region. According to farm experts, the grain has shrunk due to the heatwave, resulting in a low yield. Farmers have already begun to demand compensation, anticipating a drop in their income. They claim the yield will fall by 350-400 kg per acre, despite experts putting the figure between 180 and 200 kg. According to a Punjab Agricultural University official, “the yield was around 2,080 kg per acre in 2018-19.” This season, it is expected to drop to 1,800 kg.” “The reason for low yield is high temperature, which is 6-8 degrees Celsius higher than the previous year,” said Dr. ...

Fortune India – Online

Finally, the day of reckoning for doubling the farmers’ income by 2022-23, which the Centre promised in 2016, is here. While this year’s budget was silent, here is a window into the Centre’s thinking on the subject. On March 24, 2022, the standing committee on agriculture’s “demand for grants (2022-23)” report was tabled in the Parliament. It paints a dismal scenario. The report said: “It appears from the reply furnished by the Department that the Department is far from Doubling the Income of Farmers, rather in some States, between 2015-16 and 2018-19 i.e., in four years, like Jharkhand it has come down from ₹7,068 to ₹4,895, for Madhya Pradesh it has come down from ₹9,740 ...

Krishi Jagran – Online

Farmers in the region of Maharashtra’s Aurangabad allege that rising fuel prices and labour costs have made cultivation prohibitively expensive. According to them, farmers have begun to use different approaches to save costs in the current climate. Farming machinery requires gasoline, and cultivators frequently have to rent the equipment. A farmer named Bhagwan Bogane who is studying BSc in Agriculture and who is the owner of a tractor said that in order to plough one acre of land, a tractor consumes about six gallons of diesel. Earlier, this much diesel used to cost him Rs.400. However, the price has already risen to approximately Rs 650. Farmers who rent machinery have to spend Rs 1,800 to ...

Financial Express – Online

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday launched two new portals, including one for registration of pesticides. Another portal is for documentation related to imports and exports of agri-products and plants. The minister launched the two portals — CROP (Comprehensive Registration of Pesticides) and PQMS (Plant Quarantine Management System) — in an event held at the Pusa complex, with an aim to improve ease of doing business. Addressing the event, Tomar said the two new portals have been launched to make the process of pesticides registration and documentation process for export-import simple and transparent. The government is committed to make improvements in systems, if required, he added. Highlighting the importance of agriculture sector in Indian ...

The Hans India – Online

Addressing the Khalsa College at Amritsar the other day, I said the next revolution in agriculture will be consumer driven. A few weeks later, delivering the keynote at a national convention on non-chemical farming under the banner of “Kudrat Utsav” organised by the non-profit Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) at Chandigarh, my call to the audience, which comprised primarily of urban consumers and practitioners, was to exercise their right in demanding safe and healthy food. Why I listed the two events is to essentially drive home the point that the next revolution in agriculture will be largely influenced by the consumers. Unlike the Green Revolution, which increased crop production manifold to meet the challenges of ...

Newsclick – Online

As unseasonal rains hit the coastal zone of Maharashtra, paddy growing farmers have started ploughing on their farms. Vasudev Koyande from Mangaon village in Sindhudurg district contacted Sachin Digaskar, a person from the same village who owns a power trailer. But, Koyande was left shocked when Digaskar told him about the latest renting rates for the power trailer. “Last year, he rented the power trailer for Rs 200/hour. All the ploughing was done for Rs 1200. But Digaskar is asking Rs 250/hour this time,” said Koyande. When NewsClick contacted Digaskar, he said, “Diesel rates are so high and increasing every day. It is not affordable for me to rent a power trailer at last year’s rates. ...

Business Standard – Online

Indonesian authorities have granted a blanket license to most Indian food testing labs for three years, ending an imbroglio over import of agriculture produce from the South Asian nation. The Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (IAQA) said the agriculture ministry has issued a decree for registering labs in India—a document valid for three years starting April 13 and that can be renewed further. Indian consignments already bound for Indonesia can be accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued on March 24 or earlier. Indian agriculture imports halted last late March after Indonesian authorities barred the approval given to certification agencies based in India. These agencies or labs issued certificates that are mandatory for exporting ...

Hindustan Times – Online

Bihar’s total foodgrain production in kharif and rabi seasons in the financial year 2021-22 stands at 162.22 lakh tonnes, of which wheat production is estimated at 62.22 lakh metric tonnes and paddy at 71 lakh metric tonnes, as per the third estimate of foodgrain production compiled recently, which indicated that the state continues to be food sufficient, agriculture department officials said. Third estimate figures for FY 21-22 were positive and indicate the total foodgrain production in kharif and rabi seasons this time could surpass the figures of FY20-21, which was 179 lakh metric tonnes, as per fourth and final estimates released last year. Prolonged winter, better seed distribution and inputs to farmers through financial assistance ...

Free Press Journal – Online

The live telecast of the natural and zero budget farming workshop, held in Bhopal was organised here at the auditorium of the agricultural produce market committee on Wednesday.

During the workshop, the farmers learnt the basic concept and economic viability of zero budget farming. Zero budget natural farming is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices.

The Times of India – Online

Increased area in cultivation of short-term paddy, successful kuruvai and favourable rainfall last year contributed to increased food production in the state in 2021-22. As per the third advance estimates, as on April 7, the production of paddy and other agricultural crops in the state is estimated at a record 118 lakh tonnes. This is 9% more than the previous year’s production of 108 lakh tonnes and a remarkable achievement in the last six years, said agriculture minister MRK Panneerselvam in the assembly on Wednesday.

Total production of rice last year is estimated at 80.2 lakh tonnes. It would be 16.1 lakh tonnes more than the average production of 64 tonnes ...

The New Indian Express – Online

In a bid to promote inland fishing and to provide additional income to farmers, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra is planning to promote paddy-cum-fish culture in the district.

Experts say a small pond in the middle or adjacent to a paddy field is all that it takes to carry out paddy-cum-fish culture. “A farmer can cultivate paddy and culture fish at the same time. He can commence farming at the same time and harvest both his paddy and fish at the same time. We are planning to promotethe concept among farmers,” said J Akhandarao, the joint director of agriculture department.

The Times of India – Online

Industrialisation of agricultural products, growth of food processing companies and organised retailing have expanded the job market, writes PV Vijay Kumar Reddy. The agriculture sector and the exports of the related products in India stood at approximately $41 billion in 2021. About 43% of India’s overall geographical territory is occupied by agricultural activity.

In 2021, the agriculture export basket of India accounted for 2.5 % of world agricultural trade, according to The Economic Times. However, for ASEAN countries, the agricultural exports from India amounted to 8.56%, which has been suggested by India Brand Equity Foundation.

Network 18 – Online

Struck by extreme weather events and record-breaking heat, India is facing an onslaught of climate change that has hit the yield of freshly harvested wheat, which has plunged significantly in two major wheat-procuring states of Punjab and Haryana.

The country has witnessed its hottest March in as many as 122 years, marked by an early onset of the heat wave. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the month of March, which is also a crucial time for the growth of Rabi crops, saw the highest-ever average maximum temperature of 33.10℃, surpassing the previous record of 2010.

Hindustan Times – Online

According to experts, the sudden rise in temperature in mid-March fastened the maturing of wheat crop, causing loss of yield and grain quality. With farmers staring at losses, the demands for compensation have already started resonating across the state.

As the agriculture department is pegging the per acre loss at one to four quintals, it would eventually lead to a case for paying compensation to farmers and put an additional burden on the state’s finances, which are already in dire straits.

The Hindu Business Line – Online

The Agribusiness Incubator (ABI) at the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has called for applications from agritech start-ups under the NIDHI-Seed Support Scheme (NIDHI-SSS).

The scheme is backed by the governmental Department of Science and Technology. “We are looking to engage with early revenue stage start-ups with product-market fit and clarity on their value proposition. The seed fund will enable them to accelerate their commercialisation activities,” Aravazhi Selvaraj, Head of ABI-ICRISAT, said in a statement.

The Times of India – Online

The dichotomy of Indian agriculture is unique. India ranks second in terms of global food production and, at the same time, is home to the world’s largest undernourished population. Agriculture provides livelihood to more than 50% of the population, yet contributes less than 20% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Even after seven decades since independence, Indian farmers continue to battle low productivity and profitability. Considering the complexity of Indian agriculture, a single policy or technology cannot reform the agricultural sector.

Agrowon – Online

Government by the Department of Agriculture has implemented many good schemes. For its effective implementation, these schemes need to reach the villagers. The Minister for Women and Child Development, Adv. Presented by Yashomati Thakur at Varkhed. Bhumi Pujan Thakur inaugurated the construction of recharge trench and recharge shaft in Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjeevani Prakalpa Yojana at Varkhed in Tivasa taluka. This work will be completed with a fund of about Rs. 54 lakhs. The distribution of tractors under the agricultural mechanization scheme was also done by the Guardian Minister.

Rising Kashmir – Online

The roots of poverty in agricultural & horticultural communities is complex, and any approach to improve it needs to be adaptable to solve the problems farmers face. That’s why ‘The Indian Society Of Agribusiness Professionals’ (ISAP) takes holistic, long-term approach offering a variety of approaches, also in tandem with affiliate partners, when required, to inform, train and support farmers, women and youth in rural communities.) and it is the need of the hour for  the farmers of my Kashmir Valley to understand its need and then to Learn, Formulate &Participate in creating FPO’s and then use it to its maximum level. Now, we need to understand what basically FPO is, what is the need of ...

Telegraph – Online

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has promised grants for Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), Ranchi, for construction and development of a women’s hostel and library. The university has been asked to submit a proposal.

The chairman of the accreditation team of ICAR, A. R Pathak, is on a five-day visit to BAU. Pathak, who was the vice-chancellor of Gujarat-based Navsari and Junagadh Agricultural University, was addressing teachers of BAU at Ranchi Agricultural College Auditorium when the audience drew his attention to the lack of latest research equipment in the departments and laboratories. The university has been asked to submit a proposal to the department of science and technology, department of biotechnology, government of India, and ...

Mathrubhumi – Online

At a time when fuel prices are skyrocketing, the state-run Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation Limited (KAMCO) has decided to manufacture electric tractors and other agricultural-related machines. The initiative has been projected as a move to ease the burden of farmers in the state who incur high expenses for meeting fuel demands.

Interestingly, KAMCO launched its electric grass cutter (brush cutter) last day. It costs Rs 43,000. With one and a half hours of charging it can be used for four hours. According to KAMCO if electricity expenses are calculated it will cost Rs 1 for one hour’s use, which is very nominal. Notably, it would require one litre of petrol to operate a grass cutter for ...

The New Indian Express – Online

Believing that smart farming will help in cutting down labour costs and saving time, this Guntur farmer has created his own tractor-mounted sprayer, which can be used for swift and precise spraying of insecticides.

The sprayer is not only useful to him but to several farmers in the neighbourhood. Mallepeddi Ramakrishna (50) of Amruthaluru village in Tenali took up agriculture after the death of his father. Though he studied till intermediate, Ramakrishna is keen on introducing new techniques in agriculture. The farmer invented a tractor-mounted sprayer for his 100-acre farm, where he grows black gram. 

The Times of India – Online

For conservation of depleting underground water table, divisional commissioner Chander Gaind on Saturday urged all the farmers of state to adopt ridge seeding technique for sowing of paddy instead of conventional method of flooding. He said that it would not only save lakhs of litres of water , but would also help in increasing the yield and reducing input cost.

He said this while attending the district level awareness camp organised in the office of chief agriculture officer, Ludhiana on Saturday. He was also accompanied by MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi and deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma.

The Times of India – Online

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the apex body of the Indian auto component industry, is organising the first edition of the ACMA Farm Equipment & Implements Localization Expo at Ludhiana. The two-day expo started on Wednesday, and according to the organisers, the event is aimed at showcasing latest development and excellence in auto component technologies for farm equipment by domestic component manufacturers.

.

Bolly Inside– Online

Feeding the world’s ever-growing population, which is expected to exceed 9.9 billion people by 2050, is an unparalleled task for modern agriculture. Along with the expanding African and Latin American agricultural markets, countries with historically strong agricultural sectors continue to expand their production capacity. The United States is one of those countries where large swaths of land with fertile soils conducive to crop development provide enormous opportunity for farms of all sizes. Experts predict that by 2022, the United States would have over two million agribusinesses, including agroconsultancies.

News on Air – Online

Keeping in view of doubling farmers incomes, the government is working on a mission mode to boost the digital infrastructure creation in the agriculture sector under Digital Agriculture Mission.

In September 2021, the government announced the launch of Digital Agriculture Mission 2021–2025 to support and accelerate agri-growth, leveraging technologies, like AI, block chain, remote sensing and GIS technology and use of drones and robots.

Krishi Jagran – Online

A collaborative joint sector program is being launched in a first-of-its-kind initiative to encourage small farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable agriculture practices, particularly in rice-growing regions of the country. Farmers will be able to earn carbon credit for using low tillage and direct seeding techniques.

Grow Indigo (GIPL), a joint venture between seed giant Mahyco and US-based Indigo, is spearheading the carbon farming initiative. Initially, the scheme would focus on rice-growing areas in Punjab and Haryana, before expanding to include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

The Times of India– Online

Punjab has not been able to effectively reap the benefits under the central government’s national food security mission (NFSM) to increase production of food grains in the last five years. The data presented by Union minister of agriculture and farm’s welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in the Lok Sabha reveals that the state government has not spent a single penny under this scheme in the last four years — from 2018-19 to 2021-22. It was in 2017-18, during the first year of Congress regime in the state, that Punjab saw an expenditure of Rs 7.19 crore under the NFSM.

Network 18 – Online

After my husband’s death five years ago, I had to struggle to raise my two children with the meagre monthly income (Rs 2,000) I earned as a cook at a government-run primary school. It was the training and support I received from Nav Chetna Agro Centre (NCAC) three years ago that turned my life around,” said 40-year-old Radha Devi, who grows peas, chillies, tomatoes and potatoes on her half-acre organic farm.

“I grow three crops in a year. On average, I earn around Rs. 1.5 lakh annually from the farm. It’s made life easier for me and my children. At the agro centre, I do vermicompost cleaning and packaging, and also take care of ...

Mint– Online

The agricultural exports have grown by 19.92% in FY22 to touch $ 50.21 billion. The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66%, at $41.87 billion, achieved in 2020-21. India’s agricultural products export touched a new milestone by crossing $ 50 billion for the financial year FY22. This would be the highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports.

Nagaland Post – Online

It is that time of the year when the weather is windy accompanied with moderate drought and prolonged erratic rainfall which impact the food production in Nagaland once again. Kevino Angami has to work even harder than usual to water and fertilize her few acres of farmland in Kohima, north-east India. Kevino shared that she struggles to ensure her family has enough food to eat during the dry season, which begins in November. From November till March, she plants crops like pumpkin, brinjal, mustard, beans and varieties of peas. She also added that she supplements by working on farms in the hills surrounding the village, by going to Jhum fields or to collect wild fruits ...

The New Indian Express – Online

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Karnataka government will focus on natural farming and will grow crops without using chemical fertilisers and insecticides on 4,000 acres, with 1,000 acres each in Krishi Vijnana Kendras attached to four Universities of Agriculture Sciences across the state. The decision has been taken as there is an increasing demand for chemical-free vegetables and fruits. Starting this pre-monsoon, the government will take up the study on chemical-free farming in association with the four agriculture universities — situated in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Raichur and Shivamogga. Once the yield is good, natural farming methods will be taught to farmers. Agriculture Minister BC Patil told The New Indian Express that ...

The Times of India – Online

Agriculture is one of the sectors that registered robust growth even during the COVID19 pandemic phase because of the necessity to feed the global population, its potential to support economic growth, create and sustain jobs and boost exports. When most industries were reducing employment, agriculture saw an increase in employment ratios. Now that we are past the COVID phase, India is back on track to chase its goal of reaching the $5 trillion economic target by 2024/25. While every sector of the country will strive to attain this goal, its impact on the consumption of natural and energy resources will be tremendous. As the fastest growing economy, India is only behind China and ...

Krishi Jagran – Online

The total wheat export for the fiscal year ended March 21 stood at 70.30 lakh tonnes, with the majority of shipments going to Bangladesh, followed by Sri Lanka and the UAE, Parliament was informed on Friday. As both Ukraine and Russia are major wheat exporters, accounting for more than a quarter of the global wheat trade, there is room for India to increase wheat exports, according to Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. “The total wheat export in terms of quantity during 2021-22 (till March 21st, 2022) was 70.30 LMT,” she said. Wheat exports to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE totaled 39,37,438 tonnes, ...

Hindustan Times – Online

Procurement of wheat began in Haryana mandis on Friday but the arrival of wheat remained poor. And most wheat that arrived in the mandis could not be procured on the first day due to higher moisture content. Procurement could not be started in the mandis of Rohtak, Hisar, Fatehabad, Bhiwani and some other districts. According to arhtiyas, farmers said harvesting is delayed by a week and the arrival will pick pace by next week. “There was no arrival of wheat in our mandi today. Harvesting has not started in our area yet,” said Mahinder Singh, a commission agent at Nilokheri grain market. Another commission agent from Kurukshetra’s Ladwa grain market, Gurdev Singh said there was ...